Offshore renewable hydrogen production
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Technology Description
Offshore wind energy can become a source for hydrogen production in regions with good resource conditions. Instead of transporting the electricity via cable to an onshore electrolyser, hydrogen can be produced offshore, with the hydrogen being transported through a pipeline to the coast. Advantages of offshore hydrogen production are the lower costs and better reliability of pipelines compared to cables. In addition to the electrolyser, offshore hydrogen production also requires a seawater desalination unit. Various approaches are being explored, from retrofitting an electrolyser to an oil and gas platform, over using a man-made island or a new platform close to the wind farm, to integration of the electrolyser and the desalination unit into the wind turbine.
Relevance for Net Zero
Potential to minimise environmental impacts, since offshore pipelines can transport significantly larger amounts of energy than a cable and thus can have fewer impacts on coastal areas than cables. Existing offshore natural gas pipelines could be also repurposed for hydrogen transport. Developing electrolyser and desalination systems that can withstand offshore conditions and integrating them on platforms or wind turbines is one of the main development challenges.
Key Countries
France, Netherlands, UK, Germany, Denmark, Norway
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